Can A Rain Jacket Really Gain You Distance?

Until now distance-claims from manufacturers have typically centred around clubs or balls. Until now.

This week, as many of the best players in the world battle the elements at the Dunhill Links, Nike have laid claim to the fact that their new HyperAdapt Storm-FIT jacket can actually increase a player's distances, with its sweater-like stretch and an impenetrable outer layer.

The jacket, in the bags of Nike's Charl Schwartzel, Thorbjorn Olesen, Paul Casey and Ross Fisher this week, was launched back in July ahead of the Open Championship. In that time many of these players and other Nike pros have had a chance to try it out.

“In the past waterproofs restricted my swing. Hyperadapt is the best jacket I have ever worn and the first one I have used in tournament play. I love it.” said Johnnie Walker Champion, Tommy Fleetwood.

Paul Casey said the jacket helped him win his first Tour event in over two years, "Hyperadapt gave me the edge in my Irish Open win. The freedom of motion & protection it offers takes away any distractions."

Italian, Francesco Molinari, said “I always felt too restricted wearing a jacket in tournament play & that it affected my performance. Now there is Hyperadapt.”

"Stop the rain not your swing" is the tagline Nike are using with the new HyperAdapt range. But can a rain jacket really help you hit the ball further?

Nike set about putting their claims to the test. During a series of demo days across the UK, they asked golfers to compare the HyperAdapt jacket to their current waterproofs and tracked the performances using Trackman.

Nike say 93% of the players gained club head speed using the HyperAdapt jacket, averaging over 2mph more speed than with their regular jacket.